Airport Security of the Future to Include Eye Recognition Technology

The future is here: AOptix Technologies has announced that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) it has chosen the Campbell, California-based company’s iris recognition device as part of its new “Checkpoint of the Future“. This is a program that is ultimately supposed to make airport security faster for passengers and more efficient for everyone.

How the New Security System Would Work for Passengers

The IATA unveiled its vision of a brave new world of airport security earlier this summer. It calls for passengers to be separated into three different security entrances based on pre-screening by authorities: “enhanced”, “normal” and “known travelers” which would in turn lead them into a kind of short tunnel/hallway area embedded with an array of screening devices, but please note that for now this futuristic checkpoint idea is just that, an idea.

What AOptix would contribute is its know-how in terms of biometric screening technology including its iris recognition system, which is already in place in London’s Gatwick Airport and the airport in Qatar.

Here’s how it works:

Passengers face the technology at a “comfortable distance” (a few feet)

In about two seconds, an image of eye/face is captured

During that time, a passenger is “recognized” (or not)

No removal of contact lenses is necessary

Quicker Security Experience

As these security concepts evolve and move forward, AOptix hopes this could ultimately mean that “these complex and intriguing capabilities may ultimately replace the standard X-ray and metal detection systems currently used” which most passengers would cheer. Me, too; I’ve been body scanned and on the receiving end of an “enhanced” pat-down, so I know what I’m talking about. We need security; we also need a quicker and safer experience.